Kokorico de Jean-Paul Gaultier, le parfum

Almost sixteen years after its launch, Gaultier’s Le Mâle remains one of the bestselling fragrances for men.

Its daring and troubling association of mint, lavender and vanilla will remain present in our minds (and noses) for many years to come. You either love it or hate it, rather like Gaultier’s vision of men.

Le Mâle was followed up by a series of spin-offs of varying success, including La Fleur du Mâle and the more recent Mâle terrible.Gaultier’s only other foray into the world of perfume is Monsieur, which is more of a splash-on affair than a real fragrance.

It was high time that fashion’s favorite rascal came up with something new to challenge the conventions of the perfume world.

Kokorico.

French for ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’, is rather an apt description for this bold creation.

When Gaultier met with Olivier Cresp and Annick Menardo to discuss his vision for the fragrance, he told them quite simply that he wanted to interpret a « cry » : the cry of a cock, the war-cry of a warrior, a cry of pleasure from a satisfied man.

All in all, an overtly sexual concept.

Gaultier’s man defies all definition : he is both a dandy and a lout, at once deeply masculine and suprisingly feminine. These leitmotiva are the needle and thread that bring together his menswear collections and fragrances.

Kokorico whips past like a whirlwind, taking hold of whosoever should encounter it. The initial scent of cocoa beans is rich and raw. We are not talking about sickly-sweet industrial cocoa, but an almost bitter natural extract produced by Firmenich laboratories.

Tempered by the sweetness of fig leaf extract, we are left with a heady blend that is cut through by the moistness of the patchouli, a highly masculine note.

The tribal roots of vetiver and the grandeur of cedarwood come together for virile, sensual and troubling ensemble.

The creative vision behind Kokorico is nothing short of torrid, transcribing an aphrodisiac fragrance with a delicious sense of eroticism.

If at first sight the head-shaped bottle is sculptural and weighty, one soon begins to make out the playful contours of the famous ‘bust’ bottle.

The iconic tin can has metamorphosed into a striking red film reel case. Flashy yet chic, this is the ideal fragrance for men who know how to make an entrance.

The film-inspired packaging is the first in a series of references drawn from the big screen. The feathers, scarlet red velvet and black silk and leather recall the dramatic decadence typical of France’s greatest showman.

Much in the same vein, the campaign film shot by Jean-Baptiste Mondino shows off the smouldering charms of Jon Kortajarena.

His charms are on display for all to see as he struts about striking poses in a feathered black number.

At once triumphant and alluring, Kortajarena surfaces in the manner of a sublime creature, the very essence of what Gaultier would understand by ‘man’.

Discover more on www.jeanpaulgaultier.com.

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